The Globe TheaterThe Globe Theater was a mass theater from the Elizabethan era that many people gathered to see plays and do other activities. Many people were interested in the Globe Theater, in fact, they all flocked into the glorious theater about 3000 people at a time. The seating capacity was 1500+, so adding another 1500 must mean it was quite a site. There are many things to learn about this theater and how it had a huge effect on those who lived in that area even today!

History of the Globe Theater Globe Theater Owners: William Shakespeare, Richard Burbage, Cuthbert Burbage, John Heminges, Augustine Phillips, Thomas Pope, and Lord Chamberlain's Men.The original opening of the Globe Theater was in London on the Southbank of the river Thames in Southwark, London very close to the Bear Garden in late 1599. There is much history to be learned about this amazing theater, but to make it easier, let's condense it into it's main parts. First of all here is where a lot of the traditions they used originated from. The theater had flags that were at the top of the theater. Most people who lived in this era of time could not read or write, so to know what kind of play was showing on a specific day, they would look at the flag on the theater. For example, if it were black, it meant a tragedy was playing, whereas if it were read, it usually meant something like a historical play, usually meaning with blood in it also (which is how most historical plays were in that day!). Another thing was the Globe Theater's Motto. Their motto was placed above the entrance of the Globe Theater in a crest saying "Totus mundus agit histrionem" (the whole world is a playhouse). This phrase was also slightly re-worded in his play "As You Like It" saying "All the world's a stage". The theater, before a big, wide known fire burned the theater down, had been closed for other reasons also. Some obvious, and some that may be a little new. Religious holidays such as Lent were when the Globe Theater was closed. Bad weather of course was a reason the would close. It was a summer venue, and closed during all winter months. They also closed on Thursdays because it was such a hit, that other industries such as bull and bearing were beggining to be neglected, so they made it a law that the Globe Theater be closed on Thursdays. As stated before, there were obvious reasons, such as those just named, but then there were disasters that prevented the Globe Theater from being open. One of these was the Bubonic Plague. In 1603, the plague went all across London killing 33,000 people, and in 1608, it struck again causing the theater to close once again. One of the most famous disasters was the fire that burned down the whole theater. Although there were no deaths or serious injuries, the theater wasn't rebuilt until 1614. The fire was started when they were doing a play called "All is True". To announce the entrance of King Henry VIII, they shot off cannons, which as you can imagine, didn't turn out that well. The theater completely burned down.

Globe Theater Audience

As you know, with about 3000 people during each play they have at the Global Theater, there was quite a crowd each time! Many things kept you there, like oh let's say, the actual play and activities, but there were other things about not nescsarily the crowd, but just the theater itself that would keep your interest. The Globe Theater Box Office was almost exactly how it sounded. It was where you bought all of your tickets. They made plenty of profits, because once again, quite a crowd. They also had quite amazing foods and a great variety too. There was mostly Shell fish, crab, oysters, mussels, cookies, apples, oranges, strawberries, and other fruits. They also sold, various types of nuts, hazel nuts especially, milk, cream, curds whey, butter and cheese, eggs, ready cooked meats, pies, and pastries.

Trivia Facts

Think, from what you read, if these were questions, would you be able to answer them? If so, great! If not, maybe you ought to read a bit more. Go on, see how many of these you know, don't know, and may possibly not even be up here! Trivia Fact 1 - The Globe Theater had a 1500 plus audience capacity. Up to 3000 people would flock to the theatre and its grounds

Trivia Fact 2 - There was no heating in the Globe theatre. Plays were performed in the summer months and transferred to the indoor playhouses during the winter

Trivia Fact 3 - The Globe was built in a similar style to the Coliseum, but on a smaller scale - other Elizabethan Theatres followed this style of architecture - they were called amphitheatres.

Trivia Fact 4 - Elizabethan theatres were also used for bear baiting, gambling and for immoral purposes

Trivia Fact 5 - Some foods they sold were nuts, fruits, dairy products, and desserts

Trivia Fact 6 - Shakespeare and his company built TWO Globe Theatres!

Trivia Fact 7 - The Globe theatre was built by a carpenter called Peter Smith together with his workforce. They started building in 1597 and it was finished in 1598

Trivia Fact 8 - Many Londoners were strict Protestants - Puritans in fact, who abhorred the theatres and many of the people they attracted and in 1596 London's authorities banned the public presentation of plays and all theatres within the city limits of London. All theaters located in the City were forced to move to the South side of the River Thames

Trivia Fact 9 - At the start of the play after collecting money from the audience the admission collectors put the boxes in a room backstage - the box office

Trivia Fact 10 - All theaters located in the City were forced to move to the South side of the River Thames leading to the building of the Globe theatre

Trivia Fact 11 - Music was an extra effect added in the 1600's. The musicians would also reside in the Lords rooms

Trivia Fact 12 - Advertising - Flags were erected on the day of the performance which sometimes displayed a picture advertising the next play to be performed.

Trivia Fact 13 - Colour coding was used to advertise the type of play to be performed - a black flag meant a tragedy , white a comedy and red a history.

Trivia Fact 14 - A trumpet was sounded to announce to people that the play was about to begin at the Globe Theatre in order for people to take their final places.

Trivia Fact 15 - During the height of the summer the groundlings were also referred to as ' stinkards ' for obvious reasons

Trivia Fact 16 - The Globe was built by carpenter Peter Smith and his workers and was the most magnificent theater that London had ever seen. It was built between 1597 -1598.

Trivia Fact 17 - In Shakespeare’s time copyright did not exist! Rival theater companies would send their members to attend plays to produce unauthorised copies of plays - notes were made and copied as quickly as possible.

Trivia Fact 18 - The Globe would have particularly attracted young people and the were many complaints of apprentices avoiding work in order to go to the theater.

Trivia Fact 19 - A crest displaying Hercules bearing the globe on his shoulders together with the motto "Totus mundus agit histrionem" ( the whole world is a playhouse ) was displayed above the main entrance of the Globe Theater. This phrase was slightly re-worded in the William Shakespeare play As You Like It - "All the world’s a stage" which was performed at the Globe Theater.

Trivia Fact 20 - Special effects at the Globe were also a spectacular addition at the theater allowing for smoke effects, the firing of a real canon, fireworks (for dramatic battle scenes) and spectacular 'flying' entrances from the rigging in the 'heavens'.

Trivia Fact 21 - In just two weeks Elizabethan theaters could often present “eleven performances of ten different plays”.

Trivia Fact 22 - There were no actresses. Female characters had to be played by young boys. The acting profession was not a credible one and it was unthinkable that any woman would appear in a play.

Trivia Fact 23 - Many of the boy actors died of poisoning due to the vast quantities of lead in their make-up

Trivia Fact 24 - Shakespeare's first biographer, Nicholas Rowe, referred to a role performed by William Shakespeare at the Globe theatre as "the Ghost in his own Hamlet" in which he was was "the top of his performance".

Trivia Fact 25 - Published plays required a licence, which provided a form of censorship by the Elizabethan state.